Judge Delays Hearing on Cityhood Until Jan. 31

A judge has postponed until Jan. 31 a hearing in a lawsuit filed by Malibu cityhood supporters, who want to force the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to set a date for an incorporation election in Malibu.

Superior Court Judge Dzintra Janavs, who was to have heard final arguments in the case today, postponed the hearing at the request of lawyers for a cityhood opponent who said they needed more time to prepare their arguments.

Incorporation backers have accused the supervisors of violating a state law that allows them 60 days from when they begin hearing the cityhood matter to conclude the hearing as a final step before setting an election. The supervisors began the hearing Oct. 19, but later voted to postpone indefinitely a decision on incorporation until construction permits are issued for a sewer system the county wants built in Malibu.